A SCHOOL judged to be inadequate when inspected last year is getting better according to Ofsted.

The Grange School in Christchurch was praised for making improvements across several areas following a recent monitoring visit.

But inspectors said there is still a long way to go.

A full inspection carried out in March last year criticised the school and said pupils did not make good progress.

It said a decline in performance had not been addressed quickly enough and said the school suffered from poor behaviour, low expectations of pupils and poor attendance.

The school is now led by joint heads Liz Garman and Peter Nealon who have received the results of the first monitoring inspection.

Ofsted inspector Paul Williams concluded that the school's improvement plan and statement of action are fit for purpose.

In as report to the head teachers he said: "Staff now expect more of themselves, and of pupils, because you model high expectations.

"Pupils' progress measured across eight GCSE subjects increased significantly in 2018 and was around the national average.

"Year 11 pupils made better progress in GCSE mathematics compared with previous years, progress in GCSE English subjects improved and the quality of teaching in science has improved."

But he warned that attendance remains too low and that pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development remains an area of weakness across the school.

The Grange School, in Redvers Road, is part of the Twynham Learning multi-academy trust and pupils now have a greater choice of subjects because, for the first time, they are able to study some subjects at the successful Twynham School.

The school is also being supported by leaders from the Magna Academy and St Aldhelm's Academy in Poole.

The Grange is a mixed school and has around 480 pupils aged between 11 and 19.